Member Rating

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Great time but disappointed we missed Roatan

Sail Date:
June 2014

Destination:
Western Caribbean

Embarkation:
New Orleans

This was a very good cruise, we had great weather (despite what the forecasts said)...originally we thought we would have one good weather day in Roatan, and Belize and Cozumel was 80-90% chance of rain and a 40% chance of tropical development...but we were ok with that since we really wanted to go to Roatan most! Well when we got there we circled the port and as we were dressed and ready to head out the captain turned the ship around and said in his annoying Italian accent, "Ladies and Zzzentlemen...we are sorry to inform you...blah blah blah..." then the cruise director translated..."the seas are too choppy and it's too windy to safely pull into port, so we will enjoy another 'safe' day at sea on our way to Belize"...REALLY!!! So we got some lounge chairs, a few buckets of beer and sent our son to the waterslides with his new friend and put on Bob Marley...what else can you do? Belize and Cozumel ended up having lovely weather with smooth seas...go figure! My biggest disappointment More
was that they didn't plan ahead and go somewhere else or even offer us a free drink or something.

This ship is lacking some of the 2.0 features like the taco cantina, but does have the rum & tequila bars and ocean plaza. Once you've been on a newer ship like the Sunshine, it doesn't compare...I miss the Havana bar. The food was seemingly the same, this one did have a Tandoor grill and Mongolian Wok, which I thoroughly enjoyed, but overall the food in the restaurants is still much better than the Lido deck.

You have to watch the bartenders since three times we caught them trying to substitute cheap stuff...and one time left an ingredient (alcohol) out altogether. I felt like if you pay that much for a drink you should get what your paying for...especially when our contraband was confiscated (first time ever, by the way).

The room steward was much friendlier than the last, but not on par with our first one...Yoga really spoiled us! Less

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Cabin review: Carnival Dream Balcony Upper 6410

I would NOT recommend the stateroom we were in as it was right above the hot tub and blocked the view of the ocean. The only saving grace was that the hot tub didn't open until 9 am and closed at 9 pm so it wasn't loud during morning and evening hours. It was also right above the ocean plaza lounge which we occasionally heard music but didn't keep us up at night.

Port and Shore Excursions

Caye Caulker

(5)

Nice island, wish we had more time. It was so quaint and beautiful. The water at The Split was amazing but the atmosphere was too spring breaky...my son and husband did not want to stay and swim bc there was no where to sit and eat and they charged a dollar to use the restroom. We ate at a little place, Paradise Grill or something, it was very good. The food was good and their local beers were good too. Our guides were very organized and informed and made sure they got us back in time for the ship. Belize City is gross...I would recommend booking ANY excursion rather than staying in port...or stay on the boat.

Tulum

(4)

Overall a good excursion. This was our 3rd time to Cozumel and already did the beach, shopping, party thing, so wanted to do something different. Our 12 yr old is interested in history just as much as we are so it was on our bucket list. The tour guide was very informative although he got a bit "preachy". The cultural center was a waste of time, I wish there had been less time there are more time at the ruins since there was already shopping there. By the time the tour was over, we had 10 minutes at the beach and 20 minutes to eat and enjoy a local beer, which was very good...Montejo and Leon. The little restaurant at the ruins had some of the best grouper tacos I've ever had and was really fast! The sites were beautiful as was the beach. And there were iguanas all over!